And in Lebanon, which has always prided itself on being a modern, liberal nation, women cannot pass their nationality onto their children, and nor can a man be charged with raping his wife. Of the latest 30-member Cabinet, there was not a single woman in place. And of the 128-member Parliament there are only three women – all relatives of prominent male politicians or leaders.

On a wider scale, violence and oppression – often state-sanctioned – proliferates. The bloodshed of Syria is on another level, but in Iraq and Yemen and Somalia too, car bombs and assassinations are commonplace. After similar crackdowns in Tunisia, Egypt, Bahrain and Libya, protesters in Turkey and Sudan have recently been dealt with in a brutal way also.

Great sacrifices have been made, and continue to be made, to topple dictatorships across the region, and dislodge aged, autocratic leaders.

But while some democratic freedoms have been achieved, it is clear that there is still a way to go in terms of winning personal freedoms and liberties. Obviously, traditional mentalities do not simply disappear overnight.

However, if progress is to be made, the younger generations must be willing to keep fighting for these freedoms and for change. The journey will not be easy, and they are bound to make their own mistakes along the way.

But if this region, which is beset with high unemployment and illiteracy rates, is to move forward, to reach a position where its own scientists and writers are winning Nobel prizes, then it is essential for citizens to make their demands known, whether at the ballot box or on the streets. Because revolutions, which hundreds have fought and died for, which do not bring a brighter future, are meaningless.